Westbrook looks on track for rehab start

Credit: Getty Images

MILWAUKEE, WI - MAY 02: Jake Westbrook #35 of the St. Louis Cardinals pitches in the bottom of the first inning against the Milwaukee Brewers during the game at Miller Park on May 02, 2013 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. (Photo by Mike McGinnis/Getty Images)

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(BaseballStL) -- Injured starting pitcher Jake Westbrook (elbow) took another step towards returning to the Cardinals starting rotation by throwing a bullpen session at Busch Stadium. Westbrook projects that he threw around 60 pitches and tried to simulate it as if he was pitching in a real game.

The next step, he hopes, is to take a couple days off like a starting pitcher normally would and then go on a rehab assignment next week.

"With the way I felt after my last bullpen and the way I felt coming off of this one I don't see that being a problem," Westbrook said. "I envision coming in tomorrow (Friday), I might be a little sore, but (only) in the places that I normally am sore."

The club has not said for certain what Westbrook's next step would be so it's premature to suggest he'll truly go on a rehab start. But the fact he said he felt good following this bullpen session is good news as far as getting an experienced arm back in the starting rotation.

Currently other than Adam Wainwright and Lance Lynn, the Cards employ three rookies in the rotation. Shelby Miller, Tyler Lyons and Michael Wacha had a combined one Major League start entering 2013.